These investigators assigned 99 patients with diabetes mellitus into two groups: 1) low-fat vegan diet or 2) diet following the American Diabetes Association guidelines or ADA diet. The vegan diet consisted of vegetables, fruits, grains, and legumes and patients were asked to avoid animal products.

In contrast to the ADA diet, portion sizes, energy intake, and carbohydrate intake were unrestricted in the vegan group. The ADA diet was individualized to provide for energy deficit of 500-1000 kcal.

Results of diabetes-diet study

At the end of 22-week study period, a reduction in glucose lowering medication requirements occurred in 43% of the vegan group as compared to 26% of the ADA diet group.

There was a significantly higher drop in hemoglobin A1C levels in the vegan group as compared to ADA group.

Despite unrestricted caloric intake, the vegan group patients lost more weight than the ADA group. The reduction in blood lipid levels was also significantly higher in the vegan group.

Conclusions

The authors concluded that while both ADA and vegan diets are beneficial in diabetic patients, the vegan diet is superior.

These investigators assigned 99 patients with diabetes mellitus into two groups: 1) low-fat vegan diet or 2) diet following the American Diabetes Association guidelines or ADA diet. The vegan diet consisted of vegetables, fruits, grains, and legumes and patients were asked to avoid animal products.

In contrast to the ADA diet, portion sizes, energy intake, and carbohydrate intake were unrestricted in the vegan group. The ADA diet was individualized to provide for energy deficit of 500-1000 kcal.

Results of diabetes-diet study

At the end of 22-week study period, a reduction in glucose lowering medication requirements occurred in 43% of the vegan group as compared to 26% of the ADA diet group.

There was a significantly higher drop in hemoglobin A1C levels in the vegan group as compared to ADA group.

Despite unrestricted caloric intake, the vegan group patients lost more weight than the ADA group. The reduction in blood lipid levels was also significantly higher in the vegan group.

Conclusions

The authors concluded that while both ADA and vegan diets are beneficial in diabetic patients, the vegan diet is superior.